Eclipse means to cover, block, hide, obscure......and in a solar eclipse it is the Sun that is hidden from us......by the only thing big enough, the Moon.

The Moon is actually about 400 times smaller than the Sun......but it’s also about 400 times closer to us......so it appears to be about the same size as the Sun.

The Moon orbits the Earth once every 27 days......and every fifth orbit or so it passes between the Earth and the Sun......causing a solar eclipse somewhere on the planet.

The Moon’s shadow doesn’t cover very much ground, so you’ll be lucky to find yourself where you can see a total eclipse. (The next one in the UK is in 2090.) However, the moon will block out part of the Sun’s light over a much larger area, giving viewers a partial eclipse for a couple of hours.

The 20 th March 2015 solar eclipse as viewed from Macclesfield......will last from about 8.30am to 10.30am......and, at the peak, about 90% of the Sun will be covered.

WARNING If you look directly at the Sun, even briefly, without wearing solar viewers, you will permanently damage your vision. (Sunglasses give no protection.) Even during the eclipse, the bright part of the Sun will be just as bright as usual.

20 th March 2015 Solar Eclipse You cannot look directly at the Sun without “eclipse glasses”. Fallibroome branded! £1.50 from Student Services or via WisePay.

Brian Cox witnessing a total eclipse of the Sun in India Wonders of the Solar System Series 1, Episode 1 What is a Solar Eclipse? Emerald Robinson MonkeySee video 3:11 1:58